Real gross domestic product up in January: StatsCan

Statistics Canada says that real gross domestic product edged up 0.1 percent in January, driven by strength in manufacturing, as gains slowed from a 0.5-percent rise a month earlier.

The agency says gains in manufacturing in January were partly offset by a decline in oil and gas extraction.

Manufacturing was up 0.7 percent in January, a fifth straight monthly increase. Production of durable goods rose 0.8 percent, with higher output of fabricated metal products, transportation equipment and wood products. Production of non-durable goods advanced 0.6 percent on the strength of chemical and food production.

There were also increases in the finance and insurance sector, utilities, wholesale trade, some tourism-related industries and the public sector.

Decreases were recorded in forestry and logging, arts, entertainment and recreation, as well as in construction.

Primary metal manufacturing slipped partly because of a labour dispute at an aluminum smelter in Quebec.